Lowndes struggled to get a good lap out of the tyres, qualifying 27th for the 39-lap race.

Whincup struggled for grip off the start and lost a couple of spots, the TeamVodafone driver reclaimed second but lost multiple positions during later stages of the race finishing 13th.

Jamie Whincup celebrating his victory at Symmons Plains in the Tasmania Challenge

Photo by: Edge Photographics

Lowndes showed true grit throughout the race, starting at the back of the field and using each of the safety cars to manoeuvre up the order. By race end, the TeamVodafone #888 driver made up 21 places to finish in sixth position.

However, TeamVodafone ended as the hero of the day, with 1,111 points separating ourselves from second position in the Team Championship standings, thereby claiming the V8 Supercars Teams Championship for the consecutive year.

The Norton 360 Sandown Challenge will conclude tomorrow with Qualifying for Race 26 at 11.15am (AEDST) ahead of the final 65-lap race of the weekend at 3.35pm (AEDST).